Lock nut



vPatented May 25, 1943 I LOCK NUT Louis D. Danforth, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to Charles C. Akin, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 20, 1941, Serial No. 415,722

7 claims. This invention relates to attaching or securing elements and relates more particularly to lock nuts and methods of making the same. A general object of this invention is to provide a dependable and eective lock nut and a simple, econom-- ical and commercially practical method for making the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock nut embodying novel and highly effective means for maintaining a positive axial thrust engagement between the load taking side surfaces of the threads lof the nut body and bolt to resist unthreading and to positively prevent axial play, 'working and Wearing of the threads.

Another and important object of this invention is to provide a lock nut embodying a brous material lock element provided with a pre-formed thread axially olset relative to the threadof the nut body so that its cooperation with the thread of the bolt maintains the active or load taking faces of the threads of the bolt and nut body in tight, frictional cooperation to resist unthreading of the nut and to prevent wearing and working of the threads.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock nut of the character referred to in which the fibrous element is yieldingly maintained in the condition to have its thread axially offset relative to the thread of the nut body. In the improved lock nut of this invention a flexible resilient diaphragm member serves as a spring to maintain or yieldingly urge the :fibrous element into a position where the load-taking surfaces of the threads are in tight frictional cooperation. The spring diaphragm member remains fully effective indefinitely and is operative to hold the fibrous element where its thread is offset axially from the thread of the nut body after repeated and continued use ,of the nut. Another object of this invention is to provide a lock nut ofthe character referred to embodying novel means for holding the fibrous element against rotation. l

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock nut of the character mentioned in which' the resilient member or spring diaphragm is'an independent-element Vformed separately from the I vbody of the nut and, therefore, may be given the strength and resiliency required inany given apparatus or situation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock nut of the character mentioned in which the spring diaphragm member and the fibrous element are shaped and mounted to have an effective diaphragm action assuring a positive efi erations.

i'ective locking engagement or movement resisting engagement between the threads of the nut and the thread of -the bolt. v

Another objectof this invention is to provide a lock nut of the character referred to whose base may have full uninterrupted engagement with the work or bolted part and which may be formed and proportioned for engagement by typical tools and wrenches.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for making a lock nut of the character above referred to in which the fibrous element and the nut body may be simultaneously tapped in a single operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method for making a lock nut of the character above referred to in which the fibrous element and the spring member or diaphragm are simultaneously shaped or distorted in a single operation to offset the thread of the brous element -and to give the diaphragm member its active spring shape.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form -of apparatus and a typical manner of carrying out the method of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the nut body prior to the assembling ofthe lbrous element and diaphragm member. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal detailed sectional view of the nut body. Fig. 3 is a side elevation ofthe nut with a portion appearing in longitudinal cross section showing the parts prior to the tapping and offsetting op- Fig, 4 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view ofthe nut during the tapping operation. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the spring diaphragm memberv and the fibrous `element being odset. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary y horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indi- .Fig 8 is a'longitudinal detailed cated by line 6 6 on Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional view of the completed nut threaded on a bolt and sectional lview of a slightly modified form of nut.

It is believed that the method of the invention will be better understood following a description of the nutv structure, and I will proceed with a detailed description of the nut and its mode of operation. The lock nut of the invention may be designed and proportioned for practically any use or application. In the drawing I have shown a lock nut of typical shape and carries the main thread Il ture illustrated in Figs. socket I6 has a downwardly and inwardly pitched v quite thin, as illustrated. An 1 is formed on the upper end of vention the diaphragm .wall Il. The periphery lip I3. The Adiaphragm to have effective movement resisting cooperation .may he formed of steel proportions adapted for engagement by conventional wrenches or the like. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific embodiment of the invention.

The improved lock nut of this invention may be said to comprise, generally; a nut body II'I havinga thread II for cooperating with the thread T of a-bolt B or the like, a flexible resilient spring l I2 on the body I0 and a threaded iibrous element I3 urged by the member I2 to a position where its thread Il is offset axially relative to the body thread Il.

The nut body I is oi? the selected or required proportions and configuration.' I have shown a hexagonal nut body II! having the usual angular side surfaces I5 and having a plain flat base surface I6. It will be observed that the lbase surface I6a is of fullsize and is uninterrupted. The central longitudinal opening of the nut body I0 of the lock nut. The thread II is of selected pitch. vIn the case illustrated the thread II is a typical V'thread. The outer or upper portion of the nut body I0 is formed to carry the diaphragm member I2 and the fibrous element I3. A central recess or socket I8 is formed in the uppc'lrl end portion of the body III. In the struc- 1` to '1, inclusive, the

lower or bottom wall while in Fig. 8 the bottom wall of` the socket I6 is stepped downwardly and inwardly to have an annular upwardly facing shoulder I1 above its .lower extremity. The

side wall -of the socket I6 is' derined by an upstanding annular rim or wall I3. The wall I3 is integral with the nutbody I0 and is preferably the wall I8." The 'lip I3 is preferably annular or continuous and is substantiallynormal to-the longitudinal axis of thenutbody I0. v

Thespring element or diaphragm I2 serves to yieldingly urge the 'fibrous element I3 downwardly or inwardly. In accordance with the in- I2 is a preformed part as-v sembled or secured in the body Il.. The spring member or diaphragm I2 is a. washer-like part proportioned to rather accurately nt within the of the diaphragm' .I2 is gripped or engaged by the inner surface of thewall I3, aswill belater ing 2l of the washer-like diaphragm I2 is prefv embly iai-germ diameter than the opening or the nut body -Il and is adapted to pass or receive= the bolt B with clearance.

AThe spring member is arranged in the upper 'or the socket I3 and its upper -the under surface of the I2 is formed or shaped or diaphragm I2 with the nbrous element I3'. The diaphragm I2 'is dished, having a substantial central portion.

which slopes downwardly the central longitudinal axis and inwardly toward of the nut. The

phragm I2 of a material degreeof resiliency. For example. the diaphragm or other metal.

Inieiihrcuseleinent vI3iisthelockxnemiieror muvenentresist'lnselementofthenut.A .'iheelement I3 is a washer-likepart formed of a suitable selected fibrous material.

inturned lip I9 slope downwardly and in.

or' required type and Y phragm I2 assembled in ment I3 is proportioned and formed t0 have a selected degree of flexibility and resiliency. As illustrated throughout the drawings the element I3 is arranged in the socket I6 under the spring diaphragm I2. 'The lower surface'of the diaphragm I 2 is preferably in full contact with the upper surface of the element I3. The lower side of the element the bottom wall of the socket I6 is tapered as in Figs. 1 to "I, inclusive, of thevelement I3 restshon the tapered bottom lwall where it joins -the cylindricalside wall of the socket. In the structure illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawing, the lower side of the element I3 rests on the shoulder I1. It will be observed that in both structures there is a substantial space below the fibrous element I3. The invention provides novel and eflective means for locking or securing the fibrous e1ementI3 against rotation. The element I3 is proportioned so that its periphery closely iits within the wall I8 when the nut is assembled. With the element I3 and the diath'e socket I6 the wall I3 is knurled from its outer side. The knurling 2l is preferably sharp and deep so that the material of the thin wall I8 is displaced or distorted inwardly to form ridges 22 on the inner surface of the wall I3 which grip or bite into the iibrous element I3. Fig. 6 of the drawing illustrates the knurling ridges 22 and shows how they grip or hold the element I3. 'The knurling of the wall Il forces the internal surfaces of the wall into ltight gripping engagement with the periphery of the spring diaphragm I2.

- The opening of the annular washer-like iibrous element I3 is of substantially thesame diameter described. The openas the longitudinal opening of the nut body Il and is provided with the thread I4. The thread I4 is of the same thread II. It is a feature of the invention that the thread Il is axially offset relative to a helical line continuing from the main'thread II at the same pitch as the latter to provide for the locking action or the lock nut. As best mustrated in Figs. 5 and 8 of the drawing the major portion of the nbrous lock element I3 is dished or sloped downwardly and inwardly. relative to the longitudinal axis of the nut, the pitch or slope of the element' I3 being substantially the same as' the pitch of the spring diaphragm I2.

Il relativetothemainthread II is I3. Aswlllbelaterdescbedin sagement of the n with the bait B. The invention contempiates Aing or pitching of the phragm I2 urges the element IItov returntoits initial or normal shape. Thenbroilsele- Intheuseoroperationofthelocknutthenut I3 rests on the bottom wall of 'the socket I6. Where typ and pitch as the main.

The oii'setting varying the extent of slopspring diphracmI! and` 'its maior central portion is-v is threaded on the bolt B in the usual manner. In this connection it is to be observed that the nut may be engaged and operated by conven- U tional wrenches and special tools are unnecessary. When the nut is threaded on -the bolt B the outer orentering end of the bolt Ithreads through the pre-threaded fibrous element I3. Owing to the axial oisetting of the thread I4 with respect to the thread II the cooperation of the thread T f the bolt B with the thread I4 forces the fibrous element I3 upwardly or out-V may be constructed to oder substantial yielding l resistance to this .outward displacement or flexure of the element I3. The resistance to outward flexure of the element I3 offered by the element and the spring diaphragm I2 forces the active or load taking side surfaces of the threads T and II into firm frictional engagement. This frictional engagement of the broad active surfaces'of the threads T and II dependably resists unthreading and loosening of the nut and positively prevents the threads from working and wearing. In cases where the nut and bolt assembly are 'subjected to severe vibration which momentarily and rapidlyrelieves the nut of its normal load, the axial thrust engagement of the active surfaces of the Athreads T and II prevents the nut from moving with respect to the bolt andv thus prevents wearing of the threads. All play in the threads is automatically taken up immediately upon the threading of the bolt B through the fibrous element I3 and there can never be any play in the threads so long as the nut remains on the bolt. The outward or upward ilexure and movement of the fibrous element I3 may be accompanied by inward `movement of the thread I4 radially toward the longitudinal axis of the bolt B and this provides further frictional engagement between the threads to resist unthreading of the nut.

It is to be noted that the lock nut does not embody any parts which wear, score or distort the thread T of the bolt B. The -thread I4 of the brous element I3 is formedV prior to threading of the nut on the bolt and as a result the nut may be repeatedly applied to and removed from the bolt Without any appreciable wearing of the thread I4 and without wearing or in any way injuring the-thread T of the bolt B. The spring diaphragm I2 retains its resiliency indefinitely to urge the fibrous element I 3 inwardly where its thread` I4 is oiset axially with respect to the thread II. The spring diaphragm I2 being dished is particularly effective. in resisting outward movement of the brous element I3 and in practice the diaphragm I2 may offer considerable resistance to outward movement and flexure of the element I3 and thus maintain a heavy axial thrust engagement between the active surfaces of the threads T and I I.

The method of the invention for forming the above described lock nut may be' said to comprise generallythe constructing or provision. of the body I0, diaphragm I2 and elemenu I3, the assembling and securing of the 'diaphragm I2 and element I3 in the body I0, the tapping of the body I0 and element I3 and the offsetting of the element' I3. I

'I'he nut body I0, as initially provided or formed. may be as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. As

shown in these figures the nut body I0 has the central longitudinal opening 30, the socket I6 and the tubular or annular wall I8. The-socket I6 may be drilled in which case its bottom wall is tapered downwardly and inwardly as a result of the shape of the drill used in the drilling operation. The wall I8 is straight or cylindrical and as initially formed is devoid of the lip I9. The

diaphragm I2 as initially provided or formed phragm I2 resting on the element I3 and with the element I3 resting on the tapered inner wall of the socket I6 or upon the shoulder I'I as the case may be. With the diaphragm I2 and element I3 in position the outer portion of the Wall I8 is bent or turned downwardly and inwardly to constitute the lip I9. The lip I9 may be pressed. rolled or otherwise formed to bear inwardly against the outer surface of the diaphragm' I2. This operation secures the diaphragm I2 and element I3 against axial movement. The wall I8 is then knurled to lock the element I3 and diaphragm I2 against relative turning. This knurling operation is performed to provide sharp, deep knurl grooves and to provide the above described ridges 22 on the interior of the wall I8 which positively lock the element I3 against turning. Upon the completion of the knurling operation the nut assembly is as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing.v

In accordance with the invention the body I8 and the iibrous element I3 may be tapped in a single operation. A suitable tap 3I is operated in the central openings of the body I0 and fibrous element I3 to form the threads II and I4. -The tap 3| may be a typical or conventional tap operated in the usual manner. The tap 3| simultaneously forms the threads I I and I4 in a single operation and produces threads II and I4 which are in axial alignment or order.

Following the above described tapping operation the diaphragm I2 is given its final pitched or dished shape and the fibrous element I3 is likewise given its dished shape tooil'set the thread I4 relative to the thread II. This shaping of the diaphragm I2 and brous element I3 may be performed in any suitable or selected manner. In practice the diaphragm I2 may be pressed in, rolled in or hammered in. In Fig. 5 of the drawing I have indicated a tool 32 driving or pressing the diaphragm I2 inwardly. The tool 32 is readily engaged with the outer or upper surface of the diaphragm I2 exposed within the inturned lip I9. Upon the inward displacement or shaping the lock nut is completed and ready for use.

. Having described only a typical preferred form of apparatus and a typical manner of carrying out the method vof my invention,I do not wish to. be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth,but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A lock nut comprising a nut body having an opening, a thread on the mall of the opening. a ber element on the body having an opening aligned with the opening of the body, a thread on at the same helical pitch as shape where againstv the element to thread on the wall of opening and a socket at an y yieldingly urging the lfrom a helical line continuing the wall of the last named opening,v and a dished spring member on the body cooperating with said element to yieldingly urge the last named thread is axially offset from a helical line extending from the ilrst named thread the latter.

2. A lock nut comprising a 1body having an opening, a thread on the wah of saidtopening, a non-metallic element non-rotatably secured to the body and having an opening aligned withthe tirst named opening. a thread 'on the wall of the second named ope spring member whose periphery is secured to the body and whose inner portion yieldingly bears against said element to distort said element into a its thread is axially' offset from' a helical line contin ng from the rst named thread at the same helical pitch as said first named thread.

3. A lock nut comprising anut body .having an opening and'a socket at an end of the opening. an element in the socket having an opening aligned with the irst named opening. threads on the wallsl of said openings, and a dished annular spring member whose peripheral portion `is secured in the socket and whose urge the element to a and an annular metal" position where v n opening inner portion bears position where the thread of its opening is axially V offset from a helical line continuing from the the body opening at the same helical pitch.

4. A lock nut comprising a nut body having an end of the opening, an element in they socket having an opening aligned with the iirst named opening, threads on the walls of said openings, means for holding the element against rotation relative to the body. and a metal spring member secured in the socket for element to assume a shape its opening is axially oiset from the thread on the wall of the body opening at the same helical where the thread of pitch, the spring. member being dished inwardly toward the bottom of the socket to yieldingly hold the element in said shape.

5. A lock nut comprising a nut body having an and a socket at an end of the opening, la yieldable element in the-socket having an opening aligned with the first named opening. threads on the walls of said openings, knurling on the wall. o! the socket holding the element against rotation, secured in the socket and bearing against the element to yieldingly distort the element so that it assumes a shape where the thread of its opening is axially oiiset from a helical line continuing from the thread on the wall of the body opening at the same helical pitch.

-6. A lock nut comprising a nut body having an openingv and a socket Iller element in the socket having an opening aligned with the iirst named opening, threads on the walls-of said openings, an inturned lip at the mouth 'of the socket. a metal spring member assembled in the socket and engaged between the lip and element, the spring member being shaped and formed to yieldingly distorted condition where the thread of its opening is onset axially relative to a helical line of the same pitch as and continuing from the thread of the body opening.

7. A lock nut comprising a nut body having an opening and a socket at an end ot the opening, a nbrous element in the socket having an opening aligned with the first named opening, threads o n the walls of said openings, an inturned lip-at the -the longitudinal axis of the bodyl to yieldingly hold the element deformed axially toward the inner wall of the socket so the thread on the'wall of its opening is offset axially relative to a helical line continuing from the thread of the body 'at the same pitch. Y

LOUIS l?. DANFORTH.

and a metal spring -menber at an end of the opening, a'

hold the element in a extending 

